Tormented - do I want a 107?

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

We call it an asylum for a reason!

I've got way too much money in my 380sl. I've stopped counting and call the spending, "Return on Smiles|

Yep, that is the point. If one wants a cost effective car to drive, get silver Toyota Camry.

[RC45]

Very interesting and sobering thread.

I have been looking for an R107 for a while, but many of the sentiments expressed in this thread have been on my mind.

We are really looking for the car to be a weekend cruiser (our weekend jaunts can be 200 or miles at a stretch so reliability needs to be factored in) and I am wondering if the conventional wisdom (if one can call a desire to own a 40+ year old car wise in any way) when looking at older cars to buy the best one you can afford applies to these old classic Benz.s?

Or is there not much difference between a shined up $10,000 74 SL and an $18,000 supposedly well maintained car.

Opinions and thoughts invited.

[Diseasel300]

Originally Posted by RC45

Very interesting and sobering thread.

I have been looking for an R107 for a while, but many of the sentiments expressed in this thread have been on my mind.

We are really looking for the car to be a weekend cruiser (our weekend jaunts can be 200 or miles at a stretch so reliability needs to be factored in) and I am wondering if the conventional wisdom (if one can call a desire to own a 40+ year old car wise in any way) when looking at older cars to buy the best one you can afford applies to these old classic Benz.s?

Or is there not much difference between a shined up $10,000 74 SL and an $18,000 supposedly well maintained car.

Opinions and thoughts invited.

The difference comes down to your DIY ability or how close you live to a *GOOD* mechanic who knows these cars well. If you aren't the mechanical type or you don't live near a German car mechanic well versed in D-Jet or K-jet systems, RUN - don't walk away. Age is a bigger factor than condition or price tag. A cheaper vehicle with a rougher interior or more miles but well documented recent maintenance and suspension work is a forerunner to an expensive "garage queen" that's still running parts from West Germany. Suspension ages out, so that low miles "garage queen" can cost you thousands as all the rubber begins to die as you drive it.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

The difference comes down to your DIY ability or how close you live to a *GOOD* mechanic who knows these cars well. If you aren't the mechanical type or you don't live near a German car mechanic well versed in D-Jet or K-jet systems, RUN - don't walk away. Age is a bigger factor than condition or price tag. A cheaper vehicle with a rougher interior or more miles but well documented recent maintenance and suspension work is a forerunner to an expensive "garage queen" that's still running parts from West Germany. Suspension ages out, so that low miles "garage queen" can cost you thousands as all the rubber begins to die as you drive it.

Ok, how about a higher mileage supposedly well maintained and cosmetically immaculate car?

I know I am falling back on nostalgic memories of rides in an old family friends nearly new SL as a 10 year old and the reality 40 years later is much different - but I guess what I am tryign to find out is if there is any realistic and fun way to enjoy an old Benz 2 seater without having Hagerty Road Side on call every time we pull the car cover off and go for a drive hehe.

Without getting too caught up in price, is something like this listing representative of a well presented driver that is low enough price to keep major repair budget on hand versus a similar appearing car in the $18,000 range that one hopes wont need a big cash repair sooner than later.

https://www.garagekeptmotors.com/vehicles/908/1975-mercedes-benz-450sl

And a possible example of the slightly higher priced (10 year younger of course) listing.

https://schmittmotorcars.com/1985-mercedes-benz-380sl/

And as an aside, any recommendations of a good go-to independent Benz specialist in the Houston area?

I am ok with DIYing and know when to hand off the work - but I am not looking to do the original restoration myself.

[97 SL320]

I just watched the vid. The engine has an unstable idle, the exhaust sounds choppy , the the engine has a valve tap. This tap could be normal with mechanical lifters / rockers but not normal if hydraulic.

Have a look at the 99 SL500 ad and vid when they operate the top. . . They want 16 K and that is pretty high for a 90 k mile car.

When ever possible, buy from a private owner or if going through a dealer have direct contact with the actual owner. For the most part dealers are only going on what the cars owner was telling them. If the dealer bought it on speculation they will know little about the car. Remember, used car or classic car dealers are not buying cars to keep, they get it in, give it a quick check and off it goes.

[okyoureabeast]

Look bud, we're just enabling your heeing and hawing.

You know what you're getting into and still want it.

So go and buy one!

[RC45]

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

Look bud, we're just enabling your heeing and hawing.

You know what you're getting into and still want it.

So go and buy one!

Pretty much LOL

I guess time to find the local master Benz mechanic.

*edit*
Whats the word among the Benz community about C&G Auto Repair in Houston?

https://cgmercedes.com/team/

I heard the original "C & G" of the company name retired and sold to new proprietors.

Sounds like they had a great track record - any idea on the current reputation?

[okyoureabeast]

Looks good, they'll be able to do the job.

Stop stalling and get one!

[letank]

whatever you purchase.... get AAA premier membership for the 200mile free towing... Otherwise search the various forums for issues related to the desired vintage model. the older have less challenging electronic components that are not available... 1979 450SL with very low mileage.... yes some people get low mileage vehicle...
The coil was cooking 2 weeks ago... but after cooling for 10 min we could drive for another 3 miles and made it home after 4 stops... finding a good coil required a bit of a search , as some are made in Brazil with poor customer feedback... The ignition module is also an unobtainum part... from mercedes... with poor customer feedback for the aftermarket units...
That japanese convertible looks like a bargain...

[fonzi]

Houston? And dark interior on a convertible? Have you ever ridden in a dark colored convertible on a nice hot sunny day?

Sure would suck to say, “sorry I don’t want to raw tears convertible. It’s too sunny.”


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[Diseasel300]

Originally Posted by fonzi

Houston? And dark interior on a convertible? Have you ever ridden in a dark colored convertible on a nice hot sunny day?

Sure would suck to say, “sorry I don’t want to raw tears convertible. It’s too sunny.”

^^^^ This is definitely wisdom worth heeding. ^^^^

My SL has the navy blue interior. Even in the fall/winter when it's really nice outside, it's enough to just about remove skin when sitting down after parked in the sun. I've been known to put the day top up when parking for more than just a few mins to minimize the 3rd degree burns from the seats.

[okyoureabeast]

Originally Posted by letank

whatever you purchase.... get AAA premier membership for the 200mile free towing... Otherwise search the various forums for issues related to the desired vintage model. the older have less challenging electronic components that are not available... 1979 450SL with very low mileage.... yes some people get low mileage vehicle...
The coil was cooking 2 weeks ago... but after cooling for 10 min we could drive for another 3 miles and made it home after 4 stops... finding a good coil required a bit of a search , as some are made in Brazil with poor customer feedback... The ignition module is also an unobtainum part... from mercedes... with poor customer feedback for the aftermarket units...
That japanese convertible looks like a bargain...

Hey letank,

There's an updated ignition module made from Huco which is light-years better than the fat hunker that used to be there. It's solid state and a lot more efficient at its job.

I replaced my coil with a brazil made Bosch unit. If you replace both the ignition module with the Huco one and the coil, they'll run reliably.

Unless you need to keep it all stock for concours stuff, I'd get the upgraded unit.

@fonzi, even the palomino seats get nuclear hot in the sun. I wish i had my blue seats. They hide dirt better.

[fonzi]

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

@fonzi, even the palomino seats get nuclear hot in the sun. I wish i had my blue seats. They hide dirt better.

I had a black interior convertible once. Once! My SLC convertible is a dark blue interior. It’s hot as hell mid summer, so I drive the creme interior 280sl throughout the summer. When it cools down a bit, I will switch to driving the SLC convertible with the blue interior.

If you are having trouble keeping your palomino seats clean, might I suggest you clean your ass?



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[okyoureabeast]

Originally Posted by fonzi

If you are having trouble keeping your palomino seats clean, might I suggest you clean your ass?

With a mouth like that , I'm half tempted to fly to Philly and liberate that SLC from a dirty talker like yourself!

[fonzi]

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

With a mouth like that , I'm half tempted to fly to Philly and liberate that SLC from a dirty talker like yourself!

The “like” button is gone!